ShareThis

.

My Social Media

Constituents should use email or this web site's message form if they wish a guaranteed response to queries.

About Me

Stewart StevensonBanffshire, Scotland

Born in 1946 and brought up in Cupar, Fife, I was educated at the local school - Bell Baxter - and then studied Mathematics at the University of Aberdeen, graduating with a modest degree in 1969. That's also the year Sandra & I married. Her family comes from the North East.

Thirty years later I retired from Bank of Scotland as Director of Technology Innovation and was elected to the Scottish Parliament in 2001 as member for Banff & Buchan having first joined the SNP in 1961.

I am a Fellow of The Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, a Member at The Institution of Engineering and Technology, a Professional Member of the Association for Computing Machinery, a Member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists and an Associate Member of the Highland Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association.

22 August 2006

Banff & Buchan MSP Stewart Stevenson has expressed concern that while those in urban areas will be pleased that the Supermarkets have reduced the price of petrol, many of those in rural areas, dependent on their car, will miss out on these reductions and continue to pay higher petrol prices.

Mr Stevenson is calling on the UK Chancellor to introduce a system whereby those in rural areas would pay a fairer price on their petrol.

Commenting, Mr Stevenson said:

"While those living in close proximity to a major Supermarket will be pleased that fuel prices have been reduced, this will not affect many living in rural areas who continue to pay the highest fuel prices not only in Europe but in the world.

"In the past fortnight the UK media have been harping that the big cities could see forecourt prices reaching the pound a litre mark. However, many rural areas in Scotland have been paying that and more for nearly a year. In fact, in one or two areas the price is a high as £1.10 a litre.

"Rural communities do not enjoy the same public transport links as urban areas and are, therefore, heavily reliant on their own cars. However, with continued increases in petrol prices, rural economies could be destroyed. It is, therefore, vital that the UK Chancellor introduces a lifeline to these communities.

"The Chancellor of the Exchequer has the power to offset these rises through tax and must take action to protect rural economies, such as Banff & Buchan. Implementing a fuel tax regulator, as suggested by the SNP, could provide this protection without affecting revenue.

"If Mr Brown can support France when they successfully achieved a derogation on fuel prices for their remote regions, then why can't he support Scotland's rural areas?"Categories [Environment and Rural Development]